HC Deb 10 February 1995 vol 254 cc464-5W
Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of self-destruct mines as used by the British forces do not self destruct as specified by their manufacturers.

Mr. Freeman

None of the land mines currently in service with United Kingdom forces have self-destruct mechanisms.

However, the Army is due to be equipped later in the year with the multiple launch rocket system phase II, which will deploy anti-tank land mines; these will have self-destruct mechanisms. My Department is undertaking trials to ensure that the stringent specification is met.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much it would cost to fit self-destructing and self-neutralising mechanisms retroactively on current United Kingdom anti-personnel mine stocks.

Mr. Freeman

The Government's policy is not to export these mines from MOD stocks. If required for use in war, they would be used only in accordance with the UN weaponry convention.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training a United Kingdom military field commander receives to enable him to judge accurately the short and long-term military and humanitarian costs and benefits of anti-personnel mine laying; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Soames

Training within the armed forces is a continuous process and the military and humanitarian costs and benefits of using military equipment, which includes anti-personnel mines, is included in the syllabus of a number of courses, which are attended by those appointed as field commanders. I will write to the hon. Member with fuller details of the nature of these courses.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what level of authority must be sought within the UK armed forces to permit mine laying by UK soldiers.

Mr. Soames

If required during an operation, the authority to lay mines will be sought, through the chain of command, from the operational commander.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much more a self-destructing or self-neutralising anti-personnel mine will cost than its dumb equivalent; and if he will give figures.

Mr. Freeman

Details of the purchase cost of self-destructing and self-neutralising mines are not held by my Department and therefore a cost comparison is not possible.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of state foe Defence what would be the financial cost to the Department of a total ban on the production, stockpiling, sale and use of anti-personnel mines.

Mr. Freeman

Since there is no such ban, we have made no assessment of what the financial consequences might be.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the precise principles and criteria which UK military commanders must use when complying with article 3, paragraph 3 of protocol II of the UN's inhumane weapons convention which prohibits the indiscriminate use of mines.

Mr. Soames

The UK would not use land mines indiscriminately. Minefields have to have a specific military purpose, and must be clearly marked using the correct NATO marking system. The location of mines is recorded to facilitate subsequent de-mining operations. The set rules and procedures that have to be followed are taught as part of the courses for Royal Engineers and any other soldiers who are responsible for mine laying and mine clearance.

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